Comments on: Last chance for public libraries*http://walt.lishost.org/2014/03/last-chance-for-public-libraries/
The library voice of the radical middle.Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:05:38 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1By: Walt Crawfordhttp://walt.lishost.org/2014/03/last-chance-for-public-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-113718
Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:05:38 +0000http://walt.lishost.org/?p=5651#comment-113718Also probably worth noting: U.S. public libraries have had increasing usage over almost every one of the last ten or more years: they have a strong story to tell. My understanding is that UK’s public libraries haven’t done as well in terms of circulation and other direct measures. (Can’t even reach CILIP to see whether it says something about that: site doesn’t respond.)
]]>By: Walt Crawfordhttp://walt.lishost.org/2014/03/last-chance-for-public-libraries/comment-page-1/#comment-113716
Thu, 27 Mar 2014 21:55:23 +0000http://walt.lishost.org/?p=5651#comment-113716I’m acutely aware that UK public libraries are in a lot more trouble than US libraries are, at least where actual closure is concerned (I’ve dealt with closure elsewhere: there have been almost no system closures in the U.S. in the last decade). Naively, I think there may be a link between the first and the second paragraph–specifically:

“public librarians in the UK are often Arts based and, until the last two or three years, felt slightly too safe to worry about proving their value.”‘

Almost all public libraries in the U.S. are local, with most funding coming from the city (and in some cases the state). I’d guess that very few public librarians in the U.S. have felt no need to worry about demonstrating their value; it’s vital in terms of gaining additional funding or at least retaining funding. There’s a lot to be said for being in close touch with your patrons and local supporters (who may not all be patrons), who are also in large measure responsible for your funding and survival.

Unfortunately, doomcryers in the U.S., usually without looking at the reality, have used legitimate UK fears of large numbers of closing libraries to suggest that U.S. public libraries are shutting down left & right. This just isn’t true, and I examined the reality closely in April & May 2012 in Cites & Insights, http://citesandinsights.info/civ12i3.pdf and http://citesandinsights.info/civ12i4.pdf

Hmm. I should probably update that analysis one of these months…if I wasn’t feeling a little burned out about trying to help U.S. public libraries be more successful.

I’m not sure how it is in the US but public librarians in the UK are often Arts based and, until the last two or three years, felt slightly too safe to worry about proving their value. That has died now as the profession is fighting for its life. Ian.